Apparatus for forming nodules and the like



1942- J. H. THOMPSON 2,306,145

APPARATUS FOR FORMING NODULES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 22, 1956 sSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M 1% 7M ATTORNEY.

Dec. 22, 1942. J. H. THOMPSO N 2,306,145 7 APPARATUS FOR FORMING NODULESAND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 22, 1942. J. H. THOMPSON APPARATUS FOR FORMING NODULES AND THE LIKEFiled Dec. 22, 1936 ,3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVE OR.- M1667 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 22, 1942 APPARATUS FOR FORMING NODULES AND THE LIKE JohnH. Thompson, Glendale, Calif., assignor, by direct and mesneassignments, to Sprout, Waldron and Company, Muncy, Pa., a corporationof Pennsylvania Application December 22, 1936, Serial No. 117,172

21 Claims.

This invention relates to forming apparatus and more particularly to amachine for formin nodules, pellets and the like.

The art of producing breakfast foods, stock foods, and medicinalproducts, as Well as mineral and ceramic material in nodule or pelletform is well known. The moldable material from which the nodules areformed is forced through a die comprising a series of forming apertures,the extruded material being severed or broken into desired lengths.Various types of apparatus are employed for producing nodules or pelletsof the nature described in large quantities for commercial purposes.However, the production of most of these machines is Very limited, andthe nodules produced are ununiform in size. Furthermore, these machinescomprise a great number of wearing parts, which is undesirable,particularly when the material formed is of an abrasive nature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine forforming nodules or the like, which comprises a minimum number of wearingparts and which is exceptionally economical to construct and maintain.

It is another object of the invention to provide .a machine which willcontinuously produce nodules or pellets of uniform size at a high rateof speed and with a minimum of power.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine in whichmaterial is fed between a pair of revoluble members, one of which isprovided with an annular tapered surface, which is adapted to act uponthe material for compressing and grinding the same against the other ofsaid members.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a rotary die and acooperative revoluble member having an annular tapered surface ingrinding relation with the rotary die, whereby to produce a grindingaction upon the material for forcing or extruding the material into thedie.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a rotary die whichis positively driven, :and a cooperative revoluble member which is fric-:tionally driven for forcing the moldable material into the die.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a machine forforming nodules, pellets, or the like, which comprises a revoluble diehaving a chamber therein for receiving a moldable material, and arevoluble cooperative member having an annular tapered surface adaptedfor grinding relation with respect to the chamber walls, whereby toforce or extrude the moldable material into the die; the inventionfurther contemplates means for adjusting said revoluble cooperativemember.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine forforming nodules, pellets, or the like, which comprises a revoluble diehaving a chamber therein for receiving a moldable material, and a numberof revoluble cooperative members having annular tapered surfaces adaptedfor grinding relation with respect to the chamber Walls, whereby tosuccessively act upon the material for forcing or extruding the sameinto the die during its rotation; the invention further contemplatesmeans for adjusting the cooperative members with respect to the chamberwalls.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objectswhich will be made more easily apparent from a consideration of theembodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and forming partof the present specification. 1 shall now proceed to describe theseforms in detail, which illustrate the general principles of myinvention; but it is to be understood that this description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is bestdefined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a nodual or pellet forming machineembodying my invention. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatusshown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken asindicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken as indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is reducedView taken as indicated by line 55 of Figure 3, and Figure 6 is amodified form of the invention.

Referring more in particular to the drawings, I provide a base HIproviding a supporting pedestal H at one end thereof and a pair ofspaced supporting pedestals l2 at the opposite end thereof. The base maybe secured to any suitable foundation as by the bolts l3.

The mechanism for forming the pellets is carried by a supporting sleeveM in a manner hereinafter described. One end of the supporting sleeve 14enters a seat It formed in the upperportion of the supporting pedestalH, as shown clearest in Figures 3 and 5. It is held therein by aclamping cap 16, which passes over the sleeve 14 and is stationarilysecured to the pedestal H by the bolts ii. The portion of the supportingsleeve extending from the pedestal l I, carries a pair of spaced rollerbearing structures l8 and I9, which in turn revolubly support an annulardie carrier 26 upon which a pellet forming die hereinafter described ismounted. The inner race of the rear bearing structure !8 bears againstan The sleeve 22 and the adapted to contain a lubricant for lubricatingthe bearing structures I8 and IS. The lubricant is supplied to saidchamber through a fitting 25.

A cap 26 and a plate 28 are provided over the outer ends of therespeotive bearing structures carried on the outermost end of thesupporting sleeve I4.

The outer end of the die carrier is formed with a. flared portion 32 towhich a cylindrical die 33is secured as by the screws 34. The diecylinder 33 is provided with pellet forming apertures 35 which arearranged in rows completely around the same as shown in Figure 3. Ahopper 36 is secured to the outer end of the cylindrical die 33 forfeeding the material to be formed thereinto, and screws 31 serve tosecure the hopper to the die cylinder. The die cylinder 33 is adapted tobe rotated about a number of spaced rollers 38, 39, and 40, which actupon the material fed into the cylinder in such a manner as to effectits extrusion through the pellet forming apertures, all of which ishereinafter further described.

The means for rotating the cylindrical die 33 includes a sprocket 4|,which is secured to an annular flange 42 formed on the die carrier 20 bythe bolts 43. The sprocket 4| is connected with a driving sprocket 44through a chain 45. The driving sprocket 44 is in turn carried on ashaft 46 which is journaled in bearings 41' carried by the spacedsupporting pedestals 12 (Figure 5). The shaft 46 carries a pulley 41 andmay be driven from any suitable source through a belt 48. The supportingmeans for the rollers 38, 39, and 40 is such as to permit the adjustmentof the rollers circumferentially of the cylindrical die 33 and to alsopermit the adjustment of the rollers to and from the inner face of thedie cylinder. Said supporting means includes a spindle 49 contained inan eccentric opening 50 formed in the supporting sleeve l4. Figure 4best shows the eccentricity of the spindle with respect to the axis ofthe sleeve [4. The spindle 49 is formed with a tapered portion 5!, andis provided with a reduced end 52 which is eccentric with respect to thespindle axis. The reduced end 52 carries a spider 53 which is splinedthereto by the key 5.4, and a nut 55 serves to retain the spider 53 onsaid reduced portion.

The opposite end of the spindle 49 is threaded and carries a nut 55 bywhich the tapered portion 5| of the spindle is drawn into wedgingrelation with the corresponding tapered portion of the eccentric opening50. This wedging action obviously restrains the spindle from rotatingwithin the supporting sleeve l4.

vare similar of construction, and are similarly mounted on the spider 53as shown in connection with the roller 38 in Figure 3., They containwell-known roller bearing structures 51 by which they are revolublymounted on pins 58. The inner ends of the pins 58 are threaded intobosses 59 formed on the spider 53, and the rollers are supported forrotation between said bosses and the heads 60 provided on the outer endsof the pin 58.

In operation, the material fed through the hopper 36 into thecylindrical die 33 is in the form of a loose mass of moldable material,which assumes an angular position along one side of the die cylinderduring its rotative movement. The rollers are positioned so that one ofthem enters the upper portion of .the body of loose material asindicated in the diagrammatic view, Figure 2. It will be noted that thevarious rollers are successively spaced different distances from theinner face of the cylindrical die 33, and that the roller engaging theloose mass of material is spaced farthest from said die. Considering thecylindrical die as rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow inFigure 2, it will be obvious how the loose material fed between theroller 38 and the cylindrical die 33 is compressed, a portion of thematerial being forced into the pellet forming apertures 35. Thecompressed material assumes a layer on the cylinder Wall equivalent tosubstantially the space between the roller 38 and the die. This layer iscarried past the next successive roller 39 which further compresses thematerial, causing a further extrusion of the material through the pelletforming apertures. The resultant layer of material is finally compressedby the roller 40 for effecting a still further extrusion of thematerial. The formed material projecting outwardly from the mouths ofthe pellet forming apertures is acted upon by a knife 6| which seversthe material into pellets. The pellets drop through an opening 62 formedin the bottom of a housing 63 surrounding the cylindrical die, and maybe collected in any suitable receptacle (not shown). The variation inthe peripheral speed of the rollers produces a twisting and grindingaction of the material against the cylindrical die 33, whereby tofacilitate the extrusion of the moldable material into the dieapertures. It is to be understood, of course, that the variation in theperipheral speed along the length of the passage formed between the dieand the conical rollers is inherent property of a cylinder cooperatingwith a frustro conical surface. In the art it is customary to considerthat the variation in peripheral speed is a result of the variation ofthe ratio of the curvatures of the surfaces. Inasmuch as the curvatureof the cylinder is constant along a transverse line while the curvatureof the conical surface decreases from end to end, it can be seen thatthe ratio of the curvature varies along the line of pressure. The formand arrangement of the rollers whereby this grinding action is produced,provides an important feature of this invention. However, it should beunderstood that any suitable number of rollers might be employed foraccomplishing the desired purpose.

In order to effect a proper feeding of the loose material between theroller 38 and the cylinder, it is important that said roller be properlypositioned with respect to the body of material. Different materialswill obviously assume different angles of repose within the cylindricaldie if it is driven at a constant speed, thus necessitating arepositioning of the roller 38 in order to effect a proper feeding ofthe material. This adjustment is accomplished by loosening the bolts I!of the clamping cap l6, and rotating the supporting sleeve I4 and thespindle 49' together,

until the roller 38 is properly positioned. All of the rollers arecorrespondingly adjusted circumferentially, since they are all mountedon the spider 53, which is in turn carried by the spindle 49. During theabove adjustment the spindle 49 and supporting sleeve are restrainedagainst relative rotation due to their wedging relation. The supportingsleeve and the die cylinder are coaxial, and the relation between saidaxes and the axis of the reduced spindle and 52 remains the same. Sincethe axes of the pressure applying rollers are equi-distant from the axisof the reduced spindle end, it will be obvious how the rollers willtravelin a path concentric about the common axis of the die cylinder andsupporting sleeve. Accordingly the spaced relation between the diecylinder and the respective rollers remains the same for allcircumferential positions of adjustment.

Under certain conditions it might be desired to vary the spaces betweenthe pressure applying rollers and the cylindrical die. This may be ac-'complished by unloosening the spindle nut 58 and slightly tapping therearward end of the spindle 49 for unwedging the same to permit itsrotative movement within the supporting sleeve, which may be heldagainst rotation by the clamping cap it. A rotative movement of thespindle within the supporting sleeve results in a proportionateadjustment of the rollers toward or away from the inner face of the diecylinder, depending upon the direction in;which the spindle is rotated.

Under certain conditions it might be desirable to rotate the rollersbodily within the die cyline der and to simultaneously rotate said diecylinder. In this event the rollers would be. spaced equi-distant fromthe die cylinder through the adjustment just described. In the modifiedform of Figure 6 the supporting sleeve Hi instead of being rigidlysupported at one end as in the form heretofore described, is revolublysupported in a pair of bearing structures 66. The outer end of thesleeve l4 carries a sprocket 54, which is driven from a sprocket 65through a chain 66, whereby to rotate the spider and its accompanyingrollers (not shown). The drive shaft 61 upon which the sprocket 65 ismounted, also carries a sprocket 68. A sprocket 69 carried by the diecarrier 19 is driven from the sprocket 68 through the chain ll, wherebyto effect a rotation of the die cylinder (not shown). The spider and itsaccompanying rollers will obviously be driven at a greater rate of speedthan the die cylinder, and it will be obvious how said rollers willoverrun the die cylinder. The die carrier and supporting sleeve might bedriven from independent power sources and their speeds independentlycontrolled, without departing from the spiritof this invention.

I claim:

1. In forming apparatus, a revoluble die having a cylindrical surfacefor receiving a moldable material, a cooperating member supported forrotation about an axis disposed angularly with respect to the die axisand having a tapered surface in grinding relation with said cylindricalsurface, and means for rotating said die, the moldable material beingcarried on said cylindrical surface into contact with the taperedsurface whereby to rotate said cooperating member and effect anextrusion of the moldable material through said die.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a body having a chambertherein, said chamber having a cylindrical surface for receiving material, means for rotating said body, one or more pressure applyingmembers supported for rotation about axes disposed angularly withrespect to the axis of rotation of said body and having tapered surfacesin grinding relation with respect to said cylindrical surface, and meansfor effecting bodily rotation of said pressure applying memberscircumferentially of said cylindrical surface.

3. In apparatus of the character described,- means forming a chamberhaving a cylindrical surface for receiving material, said means havingtherein forming apertures communicating with said surface, one or morepressure applying mem bers supported for rotation about their respectiveaxes and having tapered surfaces in grinding relation with saidcylindrical surface, and means for effecting bodily rotation of saidpressure applying. memberscircumferentially of said cylindrical surface,whereby to forcethe moldable material through said forming apertures.

4. In forming apparatus, a die having a cylindrical chamber therein,said die having a series of forming apertures extending therethroughfrom said chamber, one or more elements supported for rotation aboutaxes disposed angularly with respect to the chamber axis andbeingpositioned adjacent the cylindrical surface of said die for grindingaction upon material disposed between said elements and surface, wherebyits passage into said apertures is eifected, and means for producingrelative movement between-said die and elements.

5. In forming apparatus, a die having a cylindrical chamber therein,said die having a series of forming apertures extending therethroughfrom said chamber, one or more elements supported for rotation aboutaxes disposed angularly with respect to the chamber axis and beingpositioned adjacent the cylindrical surface of said die. for grinding.action upon material disposed between said elements and surface, wherebyits passage into said apertures is effected, means for producingrelative movement between said die and elements, and means for adjustingeach of said elements to and from said chamber surface.

6. In apparatus for forming material, a pair of members having apair ofcooperative curvilinear. surfaces, oneof said surfaces: being tapered,and one of said members having pellet forming orifices extendingtherethrough from its surface, said surfaces of said members beingengageable with material to be formed, and means for effecting relativemotion-between said members.

7. In apparatus for forming material, a member having a surface. forreceiving material, a second member having a surface cooperative withand encompassed by said first surface, one of said surfaces of saidmembers being tapered, and one of said members having pellet formingorifices extending therethrough from its surface, the surfaces beingengageable with material to be formed, and means for effecting relativemotion between said members.

8. In apparatus for forming material, a'member having a surface forreceiving material, a second member having a surface cooperative withand encompassed by the surface of the first member, one of said surfacesbeing frusto-conical, said surfaces being engageable with material-to beformed, one of said members having pellet forming orifices extendingtherethrough from its surface, and means for effecting relative movement between said members.

9. In combination, a member having an inner cylindrical surface forreceiving material, a member having a frusto-conical surface encompassedby said cylindrical surface, said surfaces being engageable withmaterial therebetween, one of said members having pellet formingorifices extending therethrough from its surface, and means foreffecting relative movement between said members. 7 r

10. A machine for acting upon material comprising a die having .anenclosing chamber and having apertures extending through the wallthereof to its periphery, one or more rotatable elements having taperedouter surfaces adjacent the apertured portion of said die for receptionof material therebetween, and means for rotating said chamber withrespect to said elements.

11. A machine for acting upon'material comprising a member having aprimary curved surface, a plurality of members having secondary surfacesadjacent said primary surface, said members having said secondarysurfaces being adapted to be positioned with their surfaces spaced byprogressively decreasing distances from said primary surface forreception of material therebetween, at least one of said secondarysurfaces being tapered for effecting a slippage upon the material, andmeans for producing relative movement between said primaryand secondarymembers.

12. A machine for acting upon material comprising a die having anenclosing chamber and having apertures through the walls thereof, a

plurality of rotatable tapered bodies having outer surfaces encompassedby said die and spaced by progressively decreasing distances therefromfor reception of material therebetween, and means for rotating said diewith respect to said bodies.

13. A pellet mill comprising eccentrically'disposed rotatable membersmounted in relative axial angularity one within the other, one of saidmembers embodying a cylindrical compressing surface having pelletforming orifices therein, said surface being cooperative with the otherof said members to compress material therebetween and effect itsextrusion through said orifices, and drive means for one of saidmembers.

14. A machine for acting upon material comprising a die having anenclosing chamber and having apertures extending through the walls ofsaid die to its periphery, one or more rotatable tapered elements havingouter surfaces adjacent the apertured portion of said die for receptionof material therebetween, and means for producing relative rotationalmovement between said die and said rotatable elements.

15. In a pellet mill, a member having formed thereon a surface ofrevolution about an axis, a second member having formed thereon asurface of revolution about an axis, one of said members having pelletforming apertures extending therethrough from its surface of revolution,means supporting said members with the axes of their surfaces ofrevolution non-coincident and with the curvatures of said surfacesapproaching each other to define a pressure passageway that extendstransversely with respect to said curvatures, the ratio of thecurvatures varying along said transverse pressure passage, and means forrotating one of said members about the axis of its surface.

" '16. A machine for acting upon material comprising "eccentri'callydisposed. rotatable members mounted in relative axial angularity, one ofsaid members having a wall forming a compressing surface, said wallhaving pellet forming orifices therethrough and cooperative with theother of said members to compress material between the surface of saidwall and a surface of the second mentioned member and effect itsextrusion through said orifices, one of said surfaces being cylindrical,and drive means for one of said members.

17. In'apparatus of the character described, a die having a chambertherein and rotatable about'a generally horizontal axis, said die havingpellet forming orifices extending through the wall thereof, a rollersupport extending into the interior of the die from one end. thereof, aroller mounted on said support adjacent the inner surface of the die forexerting pressure on material passing between said roller and said die,a wall at the opposite endof said die from said roller support, meansfor feeding material into said chamber through said end wall, and meansforming a seal between said die and said support to retain materialwithin said chamber.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a die having a chambertherein and pellet form ing orifices extending through its walls, asupport supporting said die from one end only for rotation about agenerally horizontal axis, a support ing member extending through saidsupport and carrying a roller cooperating with the inner surface of saiddie, a wall at the opposite end of said die from said support having anopening therein for feeding material into the chamber, and means forminga seal between said die and said supporting member to retain materialwithinsaid chamber. 1

19. In apparatus of the class described, a supporting member having aroller rotatably mounted on one end thereof, a circular die encompassingsaid roller and having a supporting member surrounding said rollersupport, bearing means between said supporting members mounting said dieand its supporting member on said roller support for rotation about asubstantially horizontal axis, and sealing means between said die andsaid roller support to retain material within said die.

20. In apparatus of the character described, a member having acylindrical chamber therein for receiving material, means for rotatingsaid member, and a body'having a tapered surface, said body and saidmember being mounted with said tapered surface in grinding relation withthe cylindrical wall of said chamber to produce a grinding action uponsaid material.

21. In apparatus of the character described, a member having acylindrical chamber and mounted for rotation about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a cooperating member supported for rotation about anaxis angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the first member andhaving a tapered surface for producing a grinding action upon materialdisposed between the cylindrical surface of said chamber and saidtapered surface, and means for rotating the first mentioned member,whereby material within said chamber is carried on the cylindricalsurface into engagement with the second mentioned chamber.--

JOHN H. THOMPSON.

